[f. BATHE v. + -ER1.]
† 1. A bath-keeper, or attendant at a bath. Obs.
1636. Healey, Theophrast., 40. Turning to the Bather or Bath-keeper, saith, Sir, now I thanke you for nothing.
1813. J. C. Hobhouse, Journey, II. 537. The appearance of the bathers is most disgusting, and it requires some practice to bear patiently the kneading of your limbs [etc]..
2. One who takes a bath.
17168. Lady Montague, Lett., I. xxix. 94. What degree of warmth the bathers please to have.
1854. Stanley, Sinai & Pal., vii. (1858), 315. Most of the bathers keep within the shelter of the bank.